19/06/2009 11:52 AM
Donald Bradman (Australia)
Surprise, surprise, the Don tops another 'greatest ever' list.
Bradman made his name against England but his average against the Poms - 89.78 - was actually less than his career mark. For that we can blame the Bodyline series.
His best series was in the 1930 tour when he amassed 974 runs at 139.14, including knocks of 254 and 334 in consecutive Tests. Some say his 254 was even better than his triple ton.
His dominance in 1930 saw England devise its Bodyline tactics for the next series in Australia in 1932-33.
A reluctant hooker, as it contradicted his philosophy of keeping the ball on the ground, the great man averaged an un-Bradmanlike 56.57.
It's part of folklore that Bradman made a duck in his last innings when he needed just four for a triple-figure average. What's less known is that had leg-spinner Eric Hollies been aware what was on the line, he would have handed him a juicy full toss instead.
Wally Hammond (England)
Bradman stood on his own but Hammond occupied the next perch with W.G. Grace and Jack Hobbs.
In a first-class career which spanned 31 years, Hammond scored 50,493 runs. From 85 Tests, he hit 7249 runs, including 22 centuries and a highest score of 336 not out.
If not for Bradman he would be the proud owner of the record for most runs in an Ashes series.
That came in Australia in 1928-29 when he locked away the hook shot and seldom cut, choosing only to play within the v of mid-wicket and extra cover.
The result? More than 900 runs flowed off his bat at 113.12.
Hammond's Ashes career ended on a sad note after the tour of 1946-47 when, troubled by physical and personal problems, he averaged 21 and failed to pass 50 in four Tests.
Hammond was also a fine seamer and excellent slips fieldsman.
Steve Waugh (Australia)
Courageous, determined and ruthless. All are apt words to describe Waugh.
He was not the most aesthetically pleasing player to watch, like his brother Mark, but he was one tough batsman to dislodge as England found out many times.
Waugh started his career during the dark days of the mid 1980s but was the only player to play in each of Australia's eight Ashes triumphs from 1989 to 2003, and captained the last two series.
He had 393 runs next to his name before England finally dismissed him in 1989 but it was his last-ball century in Sydney in 2003 which will forever be remembered.
Less famously but an arguably greater feat, he made an unbeaten 157 in the final Test in 2001 despite nursing a torn calf.
Allan Border (Australia)
Like Waugh, Border was another player high up on your list of batsman you wanted at the crease batting for your life.
A slightly-built left-hander, Border's major strength was his power of concentration.
Thrust into the captaincy after Kim Hughes' tearful resignation in 1984, Border led Australia when it plumbed the depths of world cricket.
Consecutive series were lost in 1985 and 1986-87. The latter at least ended on a high but Border was fuming Australia celebrated winning a dead rubber with such gusto after failing when it counted.
It was all forgotten in 1989 when he became the first Australian captain in 55 years to regain the Ashes in England. He won again in 1990-91 and 1993 for good measure.
In 47 Ashes Tests, he made 3548 runs at 56.31, including a highest score of 200.
Sir Len Hutton (England)
Hutton had style but never at the expense of substance. The latter became an essential to his game after an accident during commando training in 1941 injured his left arm so badly it was some two inches shorter than the other.
His pre-war form leading up to that accident was exemplary, highlighted by a then Test record of 364 against Australia.
Hutton scored four more centuries against Australia and showed his longevity when as a 37-year-old in the 1953 Ashes topped the averages.
Though past his best in his Ashes finale, he led England to victory on foreign soil with a team containing future stars such as Peter May, Colin Cowdrey and Frank Tyson.